AC/DC power adapter with multi-winding feedback converter

ABSTRACT

A power adapter for supplying electrical power to a device includes a processor, an interface for power transfer with the device, a multi-winding feedback converter to receive an AC power input and to convert the AC power input to a DC power output over the interface for the device, and a power conversion control circuit. A voltage level of the DC power output is set based on a reference voltage produced by the processor. The power conversion control circuit receives the reference voltage and a control signal based on the voltage level of the DC power output to generate switch control signals to control switches of the multi-winding feedback converter to control the voltage level of the DC power output. The processor recognizes a load associated with the device and sets, using the reference voltage, the DC power output based on the recognized load.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/583,181, filed May 1, 2017, and claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/374,440 entitled “Highly IntegratedPower Adapter,” filed on Aug. 12, 2016, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments herein generally relate to the field of alternatingcurrent/direct current (AC/DC) power adapters, for example AC/DC poweradapters for mobile devices such as laptops, cellphones, and other smartdevices.

BACKGROUND

AC/DC power adapters are used in many consumer electronics products.These power adapters are often bulky, much thicker in size compared tothe devices they are used to power and charge.

Current power adapters may not provide any functionality other thanconverting the AC power from a wall outlet to the DC power to bedelivered to a mobile device. This limits their value and end-userbenefit.

While power adapters are required for charging and powering mobiledevices; the adapters are typically costly, take substantial space,serve a single purpose, and provide a benign experience to the consumer.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is generally provided apower adapter system with an enhanced scope of functionality and/orreduced size.

According to an example embodiment, there is provided a power adapterfor supplying electrical power to a device. The power adapter includes aprocessor, an interface for power transfer with the device, amulti-winding feedback converter configured to receive an AC power inputand configured to convert the AC power input to a DC power output overthe interface for the device, a voltage level of the DC power outputbeing set based on a reference voltage produced by the processor, and apower conversion control circuit. The power conversion control circuitis configured to receive a control signal that is based on the voltagelevel of the DC power output and the reference voltage produced by theprocessor and to generate switch control signals, the switch controlsignals controlling switches of the multi-winding feedback converter tocontrol the voltage level of the DC power output. The processor isconfigured to recognize a load associated with the device when connectedto the DC power output, and set, using the reference voltage, the DCpower output based on the recognized load.

According to an example embodiment, a method performed by a poweradapter involves receiving an AC power input at a multi-winding feedbackconverter of the power adapter, and converting, by the multi-windingfeedback converter, the AC power input to a DC power output over aninterface for power transfer with a device. A voltage level of the DCpower output is set based on a reference voltage produced by a processorof the power adapter. A control signal that is based on the voltagelevel of the DC power output and the reference voltage produced by theprocessor are received, at a power conversion control circuit, andswitch control signals are generated. The switch control signals controlswitches of the multi-winding feedback converter to control the voltagelevel of the DC power output. The processor recognizes a load associatedwith the device when connected to the DC power output and sets, by theprocessor using the reference voltage, the DC power output based on therecognized load.

According to an example embodiment, there is provided a power adapterfor supplying electrical power to a mobile device. The power adapter mayhave a casing, a processor with an interface for data communication andpower transmission with the mobile device, a memory module includingmemory internal to the casing of the power adapter, and an AC/DC powerconversion circuit electrically coupled to the processor. The AC/DCpower conversion circuit is configured to receive an AC power input andconfigured to convert the AC power input to a DC power output over theinterface for the mobile device. The processor is configured to:recognize a load associated with the mobile device connected to the DCpower output, set the DC power output based on the load, activate thememory module, receive backup data from the mobile device over theinterface, and store the backup data from the mobile device within thememory.

In an example embodiment, there is provided a power adapter forsupplying electrical power to a mobile device, the power adapterincludes: a casing; a processor housed in the casing; an interface fordata communication and power transfer with the mobile device; memoryinternal to the casing; an AC/DC power conversion circuit electricallycoupled to the processor, the AC/DC power conversion circuit configuredto receive an AC power input and configured to convert the AC powerinput to a DC power output over the interface for the mobile device. Theprocessor is configured to: recognize a load associated with the mobiledevice when connected to the DC power output; set the DC power outputbased on the load; receive backup data from the mobile device over theinterface; and store the backup data from the mobile device within thememory.

In another example embodiment, there is provided a method performed by apower adapter, the method includes: receiving an AC power input to anAC/DC conversion circuit electrically coupled to a processor of thepower adapter; converting the AC power input to a DC power output overan interface for data communication with the mobile device; recognizing,by the processor, a load associated with the mobile device whenconnected to the DC power output; setting, by the processor, the DCpower output based on the load; receiving, by the processor, backup datafrom the mobile device over the interface; and storing, by theprocessor, the backup data from the mobile device within memory internalto a casing of the power adapter.

In some example embodiments, the power adapter may integrate a pluralityof features into a single casing or housing, and may use a single portand cable to transfer power and data simultaneously. The power adaptermay be used to charge a laptop or similar mobile device, and at the sametime may provide external memory/data storage backup capability. Theadapter may also integrate data, audio, video and wireless connectivity,reducing the need for stand-alone conversion adapters for standards likeHDMI.

In example embodiments, the aspects described herein may allow for thereduction of the number of ports required on mobile devices allowing forsmaller mobile device size and extended battery life. The saved spacedue to the elimination of multiple ports can be used for a largerbattery or additional features such as sensors or better camera.

Furthermore, the example embodiments described herein may facilitateseamless, encrypted and automatic data backup to a physically separateddata storage location every time power charging occurs.

In one example embodiment, the power adapter may deliver power and datathrough a single port and cable using the USB-C Power Delivery standard,which can support up to 100 Watts and is sufficient for smartphones,laptops, and monitors.

In another example embodiment, the power adapter may utilize its topsurface, or any of the side surfaces, for a touch pad for receivinginput such as passwords, text, and similar user entries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1a is a functional diagram of a power adapter;

FIG. 1b is a functional diagram of a power adapter with internal memory,in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of an example embodiment of a multi-windingflyback converter and its associated digital processor, for the poweradapter;

FIG. 3 is a diagram demonstrating an example embodiment of the designand construction of the power-adapter with flash memory and afingerprint scanner;

FIG. 4 is another diagram demonstrating another example embodiment ofthe design and construction of the power adapter.

FIG. 5 is another diagram showing another example embodiment of thepower adapter with a touchpad added to a top surface for user input;

FIG. 6 is another diagram showing another example embodiment of thepower adapter with flash memory and associated circuits enabling accessto the stored memory when power is provided by the source and/or sink;and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method performed by a power adapter forsupplying electrical power to a mobile device.

Like reference numerals may be used throughout the Figures to denotesimilar elements and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1a shows an example of a power adapter 10. As depicted, the poweradapter 10 receives AC power from the wall outlet 12, converts the ACpower to DC using an AC/DC power conversion circuit 14, and delivers DCpower to a mobile device 16.

FIGS. 1b and 2 show an example of a highly integrated power adapter 20,in accordance with an example embodiment, comprising AC/DC powerconversion circuitry 101A, a processor 144, internal memory (e.g.,tangible computer-readable medium), and an interface 108 for data,audio, video, and a wireless connectivity channel 110. The power adapter20 receives AC power from an outlet/wall plug 100 and converts the ACpower to DC power using the AC/DC power conversion circuitry 101A. TheDC power may be provided to mobile devices 103, such as laptops,smartphones, tablets, etc., using an interface 112. In an exampleembodiment, the processor 144 recognizes a load R_(load) (FIG. 2)connected to the DC power and determines a programmable DC voltageoutput setpoint in order to provide an efficient operation to the loadR_(load). In an example embodiment, this is performed by using methodsfrom USB-C, for example. The interface 112 can comprise a singleinterface which can be used for both 2-way data communication and 2-wayDC power transmission with the mobile device 103, wherein the interface112 can be a USB-C port, for example. The power adapter 20 may also havea plurality of external communication interfaces 108 coupled with theprocessor 144 for interfacing with peripheral devices 104, such as amonitor, USB drive, headphones/speakers, external SD card and/or harddrive. The power adapter 20 may also communicate with the Internet overthe wireless connectivity channel 110. In some examples, the poweradapter 20 may further comprise a video and/or audio interface.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is provided a detailed schematic diagram ofa multi-winding flyback converter 200 for converting AC to DC power,such as described by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/209,184, thecontents of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference in itsentirety. As shown, the multi-winding flyback converter 200 has thevoltage source 202 which is configured, in this example, to provide ACto a plurality of converter cells 204 (e.g., 1^(st), 2^(nd), 3^(rd), . .. , k^(th)). Each converter cell has an input capacitor C_(in1) . . .C_(ink) for receiving the AC input from the voltage source 202. Theindividual converter cell 204 has two-winding transformers 206 adaptedinto a single multi-winding transformer 208. A Zener diode Z_(sk) forpower switch device protection and snubber energy recycling from aneighboring cell allows for universal operation across a range of inputvoltages of the voltage source 202. This configuration allows recyclingleakage inductance L_(lk1) . . . L_(kk) energy in multi-winding flybackconverters 200 having a lower input voltage by only having the Zenerdiode Z_(sk) in the last converter.

The secondary side ports of the multi-winding flyback converter 200 are,in turn, connected in parallel to an output load R_(load) providing anoutput voltage V_(out). The output voltage V_(out) is sensed andcompared to a reference voltage V_(ref) by a subtraction block 210. Thevoltage difference V_(e) is then processed by a gain compensator 212, inorder to calculate a control signal Vc. The control signal is passed toa power conversion control 214 which comprises one or more controllers(e.g., hardware and/or software), which may be a multiple-outputpulse-width modulator (MPWM) which generates an equivalent switch-modepower supply (SMPS) switch on-off control actions. The processor 144 mayalso use the control signal in order to conduct efficiency optimization,load recognition, and management.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the processor 144 is used for powerconversion/control, as well as efficiency optimization, load recognitionand management, and also data storage and processing, as described ingreater detail herein. The miniaturized, highly integrated, digitallycontrolled power adapter 20 may integrate a set of additionalelectronics which may include internal flash memory 302, datacommunication, audio ports, video ports, wireless Internet connectivity,and ports for memory expansion, wherein: AC power input is converted toDC power output; and bidirectional transfer of data and DC power takesplace concurrently through a port and cable. The power adapter 20 mayhave one or more flash memory modules 302 located internally within thecasing of the power adapter 20, allowing for encrypted or non-encrypteddata storage/backup, and simultaneous transfer of data and power betweenthe power adapter 20 and the connected mobile device 103. Uponconnection of an external mobile device 103 to the power adapter 20, atleast one of the memory modules 302 is activated (powered), andautomatic authentication and data storage/synchronization/backup may beinitiated. Activation of the memory module 302 can include convertingthe AC power input to DC power, and controlling activation of power tothe memory module 302 using the processor 144. In some exampleembodiments, the plug 100 may include a cord (as shown in FIG. 3), andin other example embodiments, the plug 100 may be integrated with thecasing of the power adapter 20 (e.g., prongs without a cord).

FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment where the power adapter 20 featuresinternal flash memory module 302 internal to, and integrated within, thepower adapter 20. Generally, the flash memory module 302 is within thecasing of the power adapter 20 and is not readily removable. Thiscontrasts with external removable memory cards, for example. The poweradapter 20 has at least one USB-C port 304 for bidirectional data andpower transfer, and for external access to the internal flash memorymodule 302. The flash memory module 302 can provide data storage and/orbackup to the mobile device 103. The flash memory module 302 cancomprise a persistent memory. A fingerprint scanner 306 may providefingerprint data for authentication of a user associated with the poweradapter 20, as is further discussed with reference to FIG. 6 below. Insome example embodiments, the power adapter 20 may deliver power throughthe USB-C port 304 using the USB-C Power Delivery standard, which cansupport up to 100 Watts and is sufficient for smartphones, laptops, andmonitors. Multiple USB-C ports 304 may be integrated within the adapter20, allowing for the charging and/or backup of multiple mobile devices103, and also direct data transfer between mobile devices 103 withoutrequiring a general-purpose computer (not shown).

In an example embodiment, integration of the flash memory module 302internal to the power adapter 20 is performed by having the memorymodule 302 contained within a casing/housing of the power adapter 20. Inan example embodiment, the casing is two or more casing parts that aresnapped, screwed, or sealed together, for example. In another exampleembodiment, the casing is unitary. In an example embodiment, the flashmemory module 302 and associated memory module is substantiallypermanently integrated within the power adapter 20, and/or not readilyremovable. For example, in some example embodiments, the memory module302 is embedded in hardware, such as located on the same hardwareplatform (e.g., silicon die, chip, printed circuit board) as othercomponents of the power adapter 20, such as co-located with theprocessor 114 and/or the AC/DC power conversion circuitry 101A.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the processor 114 is configured to performrecognizing of the load R_(load) (FIG. 2) associated with the mobiledevice 103, upon connection to the interface 112 in order to provide DCpower output to the mobile device 103. In an example embodiment, uponconnection of the mobile device 103 to the interface 112 (e.g., theUSB-C port 304), a control signal or control communication is performedbetween the mobile device 103 and the processor 114. The mobile device103 sends one or more communication messages that advise of thespecified required voltage of the mobile device 103 and also advises ofthe maximum specified permissible current. For example, this conveyingof the power requirements can accord with a protocol such as the USB-Cprotocol.

During DC power output, the AC/DC power conversion circuitry 101Aprovides the mobile device 103 with appropriate output V_(out), whichachieves the real-time current load requirements of the mobile device103. This is achieved using the voltage comparison between the outputvoltage V_(out) and the reference voltage V_(ref), in order to outputthe desired voltage V_(ref), as described above.

In an example embodiment, the mobile device 103 may be loaded with aspecific application or operating system feature that permits theautomatic backup of data of the mobile device 103 to the memory module302 of the power adapter 20. In some example embodiments, the mobiledevice 103 may provide a prompt to the user the first time the mobiledevice 103 is connected, regarding whether the user wishes to alwaysbackup the data upon operable connection to the power adapter 20. Insome example embodiments, the user can manually backup when connected.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment where the integrated power adapter 20includes peripheral modules or peripheral interfaces such as one SD cardinsertion slot 402, HDMI connector 404, audio connector 406, USB-A port408, and two USB-C ports 304 for bidirectional data and power transfer.A 3.5 mm audio connector 406 may be integrated within the adapter 20,allowing for the use of headphones with the power adapter 20. Thedigital to analog conversion (DAC) for the audio signal is executedusing the processor 144 within the adapter 20. An HDMI connector 404 isintegrated within the adapter 20, allowing for connection to a monitoror TV for graphics display (not shown). The HDMI to USB-C conversion isdone within the adapter 20 by the processor 144. For example, the HDMIconnector 404 can be used for display output from the mobile device 103when both are connected to the power adapter 20, or for outputting audioto the audio connector 406, etc. A USB type-A port 408 integrated withinthe adapter allows for connection to USB-A peripherals such as memorysticks, and/or DVD/CD writers. In some example embodiments, additionalperipheral interfaces include VGA and Ethernet. The power adapter 20 canbe configured to act as a hub or a through connector thatcommunicatively connects different devices by way of the variousinterfaces. Any or all of the example peripheral interfaces can beaccessed by the mobile device 103 when the mobile device 103 is pluggedinto the USB-C port 304 and the applicable peripheral is also pluggedinto the power adapter 20. In some example embodiments, as applicable,the power adapter 20 also provides the applicable DC power to aperipheral when plugged into the peripheral interface. For example, theAC to DC circuitry described herein.

When the power adapter 20 is not plugged into the AC source, forexample, the bidirectional power-up circuit 602 from the source or sinkcan be configured to enable DC to DC power to the plugged-in peripheraldevice by receiving DC power from the mobile device 103, or vice versa.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment where the integrated power adapter20 has a touchpad 502 on its top surface for user input entry. Thetouchpad 502 may be any type of touchpad 502 such as, for example, acapacitive touch screen, a projected capacitive touch screen, ananalog-resistive touch screen, or an optical touch screen. The touchpad502 may comprise a display associated therewith to display a userinterface that accepts input from the touchpad 502. In otherembodiments, the touchpad 502 may have permanent graphics or iconscorresponding to functions of the integrated power adapter. The touchpad502 may be used for receiving input such as passwords, text, and similaruser entries. In another example embodiment, the power adapter mayutilize any of the side surfaces for the touchpad 502. In an exampleembodiment, the touchpad 502 may be activated (e.g., enabled to acceptfingerprint input or touch commands) upon connection of the mobiledevice 103 to the power adapter 20.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed block-level diagram of the highlyintegrated power adapter 20 having internal flash memory module 302, inan example embodiment. The flash memory module 302 and fingerprintscanner 306 with the processor 144 (e.g., of a controller/USB hubcontroller 144′). The processor 144, in turn, receives and transmitsdata via SuperSpeed differential pairs SS-T_(x)/R_(x) to the mobiledevice 103 through the USB Type-C port 304. The processor 144 alsoprovides one or more control channels CC_(1,2) to the receptacle. Asink/source power management bidirectional power-up circuit 602 uses aUSB Type-C disconnect switch that provides power to the processor 144,flash memory 302, and fingerprint scanner 306 by way of a DC-DCconverter 308 from the DC output of the AC/DC converter. When the poweradapter 20 is not plugged into the AC source, for example, thebidirectional power-up circuit 602 from the source or sink enablesaccess to the backup data stored in the flash memory module 302 byreceiving DC power from the mobile device 103.

In some example embodiments, the internal flash memory module 302 may bepartitioned by the processor 144 into one or more partitions. Eachpartition may be specific to a particular mobile device 103 that isconfigured for use with the adapter 20. The processor 144 may assign andidentify which particular mobile device 103 is connected using a uniqueidentifier, and the partition may be associated with the uniqueidentifier. Other unique identifiers may be used, such as serial number,MAC address, Personal Identification Number, token, or signature.

For example, a user may have a mobile phone and a laptop. The flashmemory module 302 has two partitions, one for each device 103. In anexample embodiment, the partition is performed using specified criteria,such as 50% partition of available memory for each of 2 devices, or 33%for 3 devices, etc. Higher or lower memory allocations may be specified,for example, either automatically by the processor 144 or manually viauser or administrative input. The mobile phone partition may beformatted in accordance with the file system that is readable andwritable by the mobile phone. The laptop partition may likewise beformatted in accordance with the file system that is readable andwritable by the laptop. In some examples, the data stored in partitionsmay be hidden from other mobile devices 103. When the respective mobiledevice 103 connects with the adapter 20, the processor 144 interfaceswith software executing on the mobile device 103 and receives the uniqueidentifier and may be configured to automatically backup any data thathas changed since the last connection to the partition associated withthe unique identifier. Since the adapter 20 is needed to charge themobile device 103, this provides a convenient backup without interferingwith the user's operation of the mobile device 103. In some exampleembodiments, the USB-C port 304 may be used to retrieve the backup datafrom the flash memory module 302.

In some embodiments, the data stored in the flash memory module 302 maybe automatically encrypted by the processor 144. Each partition may beencrypted or encoded (e.g., signed) with a specific encryption key,which can be generated by either the mobile device 103 or by theprocessor 144, in example embodiments. The key may be part of a keypair, in an example embodiment. The key and/or a symmetric decryptionkey may be known to the mobile device 103 that is accessing data orsaving data to that partition. In some other example embodiments, theaccessing mobile device 103 presents a token or unique signature inorder to be authenticated by the processor 144. In some other exampleembodiments, in order to permit access to the encrypted backup data, thefingerprint scanner 306 provides fingerprint data from a user to theprocessor 144 which is compared to a database of authorized users. If amatch/authentication occurs, the processor 144 permits access to theencrypted data by decrypting it prior to transfer to the connectedmobile device 103. In some example embodiments, the processor 144 sendsthe data as encrypted data to the connected mobile device 103.

Although the embodiments described herein have a partition specific toeach particular mobile device 103, other embodiments may have acompressed file for each mobile device 103.

In some example embodiments, other biometric detectors may be used, forexample iris, voice, or facial recognition scanners, and the like, asunderstood in the art. In an example embodiment, the biometricdetector(s) may be activated (e.g., enabled to accept biometric datafrom the user) upon connection of the mobile device 103 to the poweradapter 20.

According to some aspects of the embodiments, Internet connectivity maybe integrated within the adapter, allowing for wireless communicationwith the Internet and/or a plurality of local devices such as theInternet of Things.

According to some embodiments, the communication paths between thevarious connectors may be dynamically re-configured by the processor 144of the power adaptor 20. For example, the 3.5 mm audio connector 406 maybe configured to communicate with any of the compatible USB Type-Cconnected devices. The reconfiguration of communication channels may beinitiated by the user using the touchpad 502 integrated on a surface ofthe power adapter 20.

In example embodiments, as applicable, the processor 144 or controllerscan be implemented by or executed by, for example, one or more of thefollowing systems: Programmable Logic Controller (PLC),Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), Field-programmable gatearray (FPGA), hardware, and/or software. The controller can include aprocessor which is configured to execute instructions stored in acomputer-readable medium such as memory.

In some example embodiments, such as disclosed by U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/209,184, incorporated herein by reference, thetop multi-winding flyback converter cells may be adapted to utilize thecombined snubber and voltage regulator circuits. The snubber and voltageregulator circuits may be placed in parallel with the transformer'sprimary side leakage inductance current paths. In addition, the voltageregulator output voltage ports may be connected to the gate drivervoltage rails. The voltage regulator may recycle the transformer leakageenergy via the voltage snubber. For large input voltage applications thevoltage regulator peak input voltage may be reduced significantly,enabling for the miniaturization, cost optimization, and power lossreduction of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator and gatedriver circuit reduce the voltage snubber power losses duringlow-to-medium output power loads. The power loss reduction is due to thevariable effective resistance of the voltage regulator and gate drivercombinations which draws less power from the voltage snubber capacitorat lower power levels. These alternative embodiments may allow forfurther reduction of the snubber losses during low output power loadlevels when a variable voltage regulator is utilized. By allowing theoutput voltage of the voltage regulator to track the snubber capacitor(which is smaller during low-load operation), the effective powerconsumption of the gate drivers can be reduced further. In such a way,the dominant gate driver power losses may be significantly reducedduring SMPS low-to-medium output power load operating conditionscontributing to higher overall SMPS power processing efficiency.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates a flow diagram of amethod 700 performed by the power adapter 20 for supplying electricalpower to the mobile device 103, in accordance with an exampleembodiment. At event 702, the method 700 includes receiving an AC powerinput to the AC/DC power conversion circuitry 101A of the power adapter20. At event 704, the method 700 includes converting the AC power inputto a DC power output over the interface 112 for data communication withthe mobile device 103. At event 706, the method 700 includesrecognizing, by the processor 114, the load associated with the mobiledevice 103 when connected to the DC power output. The recognizing caninclude control communications between the mobile device 103 and theprocessor 114. At event 708, the method 700 includes setting, by theprocessor 114, the DC power output based on the detected load. At event710, the method 700 includes receiving, by the processor 114, backupdata from the mobile device 103 over the interface 112. At event 712,the method 700 includes storing, by the processor 114, the backup datafrom the mobile device 103 within memory 302 that is internal to thecasing of the power adapter 20.

In example embodiments, as appropriate, each illustrated block or modulemay represent software, hardware, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. Further, some of the blocks or modules may be combined inother example embodiments, and more or fewer blocks or modules may bepresent in other example embodiments. Furthermore, some of the blocks ormodules may be separated into a number of sub-blocks or sub-modules inother embodiments.

While some of the present embodiments are described in terms of methods,a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that presentembodiments are also directed to various apparatus such as a serverapparatus including components for performing at least some of theaspects and features of the described methods, be it by way of hardwarecomponents, software or any combination of the two, or in any othermanner. Moreover, an article of manufacture for use with the apparatus,such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similar non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including program instructions recordedthereon, or a computer data signal carrying computer-readable programinstructions may direct an apparatus to facilitate the practice of thedescribed methods. It is understood that such apparatus, articles ofmanufacture, and computer data signals also come within the scope of thepresent example embodiments.

While some of the above examples have been described as occurring in aparticular order, it will be appreciated to persons skilled in the artthat some of the steps or processes may be performed in a differentorder provided that the result of the changed order of any given stepwill not prevent or impair the occurrence of subsequent steps.Furthermore, some of the steps described above may be removed orcombined in other embodiments, and some of the steps described above maybe separated into a number of sub-steps in other embodiments. Evenfurther, some or all of the steps of the conversations may be repeated,as necessary. Elements described as methods or steps similarly apply tosystems or subcomponents, and vice-versa.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein includes any mediumwhich can store instructions, program steps, or the like, for use by orexecution by a computer or other computing device including, but notlimited to: magnetic media, such as a diskette, a disk drive, a magneticdrum, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic core memory,or the like; electronic storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) ofany type including static RAM, dynamic RAM, synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable-read-only memory ofany type including PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, EAROM, a so-called“solid-state disk,” other electronic storage of any type including acharge-coupled device (CCD), or magnetic bubble memory.

Variations may be made to some example embodiments, which may includecombinations and sub-combinations of any of the above. The variousembodiments presented above are merely examples and are in no way meantto limit the scope of this disclosure. Variations of the exampleembodiments described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinaryskill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of thepresent disclosure. In particular, features from one or more of theabove-described embodiments may be selected to create alternativeembodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not beexplicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more ofthe above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to createalternative embodiments comprised of a combination of features which maynot be explicitly described above. Features suitable for suchcombinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to personsskilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure as a whole. Thesubject matter described herein intends to cover and embrace allsuitable changes in technology.

Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments canbe made. Therefore, the above-discussed embodiments are considered to beillustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power adapter for supplying electrical power toa device, the power adapter comprising: a processor; an interface forpower transfer with the device; a multi-winding feedback converterconfigured to receive an AC power input and configured to convert the ACpower input to a DC power output over the interface for the device, avoltage level of the DC power output being set based on a referencevoltage produced by the processor; and a power conversion controlcircuit configured to receive a control signal that is based on thevoltage level of the DC power output and the reference voltage producedby the processor and to generate a plurality of switch control signals,the plurality of switch control signals controlling a plurality ofswitches of the multi-winding feedback converter to control the voltagelevel of the DC power output; wherein the processor is configured to:recognize a load associated with the device when connected to the DCpower output; and set, using the reference voltage, the DC power outputbased on the recognized load.
 2. The power adapter according to claim 1,wherein: the multi-winding feedback converter comprises a plurality ofconverter cells, each converter cell of the plurality of converter cellscomprising an input capacitor and a winding of a multi-windingtransformer.
 3. The power adapter according to claim 2, wherein: aconverter cell of the plurality of converter cells further comprises asnubber circuit and a voltage regulator circuit, the snubber circuit andthe voltage regulator circuit being placed in parallel with a primaryside leakage inductance current path of the multi-winding transformer.4. The power adapter according to claim 3, wherein: a voltage regulatoroutput voltage port of the voltage regulator circuit is connected to avoltage rail of a gate driver circuit of the power adapter, the gatedriver circuit being configured to control a switch of the plurality ofswitches of the multi-winding feedback converter.
 5. The power adapteraccording to claim 2, wherein: a first converter cell of the pluralityof converter cells further comprises a Zener diode for recycling energyfrom a snubber circuit.
 6. The power adapter according to claim 2,wherein: a first converter cell of the plurality of converter cellscomprises a snubber circuit; and a second converter cell of theplurality of converter cells comprises a voltage regulator circuit forrecycling energy from the snubber circuit.
 7. The power adapteraccording to claim 1, wherein: the power adapter comprises multipleconnectors; and the processor is configured to dynamically configurecommunication paths between the multiple connectors.
 8. The poweradapter according to claim 7, wherein: the multiple connectors comprisean audio connector configured to receive an audio output from thedevice.
 9. The power adapter according to claim 7, wherein: the multipleconnectors comprise an HDMI connector configured to receive a displayoutput from the device.
 10. The power adapter according to claim 1,wherein: the power adapter comprises multiple USB-C ports.
 11. The poweradapter according to claim 1, wherein: the power adapter comprises aperipheral interface; and the power adapter is configured to provide anapplicable DC power to a peripheral when the peripheral is plugged intothe peripheral interface.
 12. The power adapter according to claim 11,wherein: the power adapter is configured to provide the applicable DCpower to the peripheral when the peripheral is plugged into theperipheral interface by receiving DC power from the device.
 13. Thepower adapter according to claim 1, further comprising: a peripheralinterface for connection to a peripheral, wherein the processor isconfigured to enable a data communication between the peripheral and thedevice through the power adapter when the peripheral and the device areboth connected.
 14. The power adapter according to claim 1, wherein: theprocessor is configured to use the control signal to conduct efficiencyoptimization for the multi-winding feedback converter.
 15. The poweradapter according to claim 1, wherein: the interface further comprises abidirectional electrical input for receiving DC power from the device,the bidirectional electrical input providing electrical power to theprocessor using the DC power received from the device.
 16. The poweradapter according to claim 1, wherein: the interface is furtherconfigured for data communication with the device; and the processor isfurther configured to concurrently transfer data and power over theinterface.
 17. The power adapter according to claim 1, wherein: theinterface is further configured for data communication with the device;and the processor is configured to recognize the load by at leastreceiving a data communication from the device over the interface. 18.The power adapter according to claim 1, wherein: the interface isfurther configured for data communication with the device; the processoris configured to receive one or more data communications from the devicethat advise of a maximum specified permissible current of the device.19. A method performed by a power adapter, the method comprising:receiving an AC power input at a multi-winding feedback converter of thepower adapter; converting, by the multi-winding feedback converter, theAC power input to a DC power output over an interface for power transferwith a device, a voltage level of the DC power output being set based ona reference voltage produced by a processor of the power adapter;receiving, at a power conversion control circuit, a control signal thatis based on the voltage level of the DC power output and the referencevoltage produced by the processor and generating a plurality of switchcontrol signals, the plurality of switch control signals controlling aplurality of switches of the multi-winding feedback converter to controlthe voltage level of the DC power output; recognizing, by the processor,a load associated with the device when connected to the DC power output;and setting, by the processor using the reference voltage, the DC poweroutput based on the load.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein:the interface is further configured for data communication with thedevice; and the processor is configured to recognize the load by atleast receiving a data communication from the device over the interface.